So I’m on the job hunt — and today I got interviewed for a great position. During the hiring process I filled out that super tedious form, you know the type: Previous Position, Company Name, Salary, Supervisor, Supervisor Telephone, and Responsibilities for the past 4 years. Today during the interview (2 hours ago), they let me know that they want two more references than the ones I gave them in the form (past supervisors) — one personal and one professional.

The personal one is easy, but I’m at a loss for the professional one simply because I can’t get a hold of anyone. The interviewer made it clear that she was going to call references tomorrow and make a decision by Thursday. I know it’s very bad etiquette to use someone as a reference without getting their permission first but I really want this job.

What should I do if I don’t hear back from anyone by tonight?? Do I put someone down who I’m confident would give me a positive review, but may be blindsided by the phonecall tomorrow?

It’s likely they’d have no problem giving you a review. They might be surprised when they get the call but they’ll probably be happy to give it. Better to do that than to miss out on this because no one answer’s the phone.

The other person you would used-have you tried every way to contact them (email, phone message, if you have their cell phone)?

If so, I would contact the interviewer and tell her you are trying ot get in touch with the person, because you want to give them a head’s up. I think that’s more than reasonable and I doubt they’ll hold that against you.

I’ve been a reference before and I like to prepare…..if I got a call out of the blue I probably wouldn’t give as good of a reference only because I wouldn’t have had the time to think over what I’d like to touch on about that person.

Hmm that is tough! I admit I have used one reference without letting them know ahead of time, but I’d used them a couple times in the past so I knew it would be okay. I think if you’re that confident they will give you a positive review then they would probably be happy to offer it whether you gave them a heads up or not. Could you send them an e-mail or leave a message maybe? Kind of sucks that the employer expects you to be able to get one on such short notice!

@beeintraining: I would wait. I know that I’ve asked a previous co-worker for a reference and she refused. I was super devestated! On the other hand, if I had just written her name down and she got a call, she wouldn’t have given them a reference. Unless you’ve used them as a reference before, don’t put their name down!

If you’re confident that they’d give you a good review then I’d put them down. I doubt they’ll be peeved that you did so without asking first. If the prospective employer can’t get ahold of them then how can they really take that out on you??

I work on investigations for the federal government and we usually try to develop sources that the subject didn’t volunteer. So most of the testimonies I read through are dialogues with people that had no heads up. I’ve never seen one where I felt like the person gave a negative opinion for absolutely no reason (such as being contacted without notice lol).

If you have (had) a good relationship with the person, I would put their name down and call them ASAP and leave them a voicemail explaining the situation. I would also email them with the same message (since not everyone checks their vm) and give them a heads-up.

It should be fine, esp if you had a good relationship with them in the past. Congrats on your [possible] awesome new job!

I’d put the reference down and email them to try to give them a heads up. Have you used this individual for a reference before? In that case I definitely wouldn’t worry. If you haven’t, did you have a strong positive relationship with them? If so, again, I don’t think it’s that big a deal. I know that nobody that I would be willing to put down for a reference would be upset if they got a random call asking for one.

Yes, put them down either way. Try to contact them again, but don’t worry too much about it of you can’t get ahold of them. I have former employees who put me down as a reference three years after I left, and they don’t always give me warning. It’s kind of a surprise when I get the call, BUT in my experience, reference calls have all been pretty basic and honestly nothing I truly needed advanced warning for. I adored my employees and will always give them great references because they deserve them, and it sounds like your reference will do the same.

Thanks Bees! You’re always so much help. I called and e-mailed the co-worker right after the interview, hoping to catch her before she left for the day. Just bit the bullet and sent in the references. Fingers crossed!